Shared terminal, communication system, image transmission method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system, and method of controlling transmission of an image, each of which: displays, on a display, an image to a plurality of users, the plurality of users sharing a use of the shared terminal; obtains, from a first privately-owned terminal owned by a first user of the plurality of users, first terminal identification information for identifying the first privately-owned terminal; transmits an authentication request for authenticating the first privately-owned terminal to a terminal management server, the authentication request including the first terminal identification information of the first privately-owned terminal; receives an authentication result of authenticating the first privately-owned terminal from the terminal management server; and when the authentication result indicates that the first privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal, and transmits a print request for printing data relating to the image being displayed to a printer through a network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-145399, filed onJul. 25, 2016, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shared terminal, communicationsystem, image transmission method, and recording medium.

Description of the Related Art

Recently, electronic whiteboards are disposed in various types of placessuch as meeting rooms in companies or classrooms in educationalinstitutions. The electronic whiteboard is provided with a touch paneldisplay of large size, on which each user draws an image with anelectronic pen or his or her finger. The image drawn by each user isdisplayed to a plurality of users in the same room. Through sharing theimage between the users, a meeting or a lecture can be conducted moresmoothly.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus,system, and method of controlling transmission of an image, each ofwhich: displays, on a display, an image to a plurality of users, theplurality of users sharing a use of the shared terminal; obtains, from afirst privately-owned terminal owned by a first user of the plurality ofusers, first terminal identification information for identifying thefirst privately-owned terminal; transmits an authentication request forauthenticating the first privately-owned terminal to a terminalmanagement server, the authentication request including the firstterminal identification information of the first privately-ownedterminal; receives an authentication result of authenticating the firstprivately-owned terminal from the terminal management server; and whenthe authentication result indicates that the first privately-ownedterminal is a legitimate terminal, transmits a print request forprinting data relating to the image being displayed to a printer througha network.

Example embodiments of the present invention include a non-transitoryrecording medium storing an image transmission control program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understoodfrom the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of an electronic whiteboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of an integrated circuit (IC) card, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of a smart phone, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of a personal computer (PC), according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of a multifunctional peripheral (WP), according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of a videoconference terminal, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B (FIG. 8) are an illustration of example screensdisplayed by a display at the electronic whiteboard;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D (FIG. 9) are an illustration of example screensdisplayed by the display at the electronic whiteboard;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D (FIG. 10) are an illustration of examplescreens displayed by the display at the electronic whiteboard;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a functional configurationof the communication system, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal managementtable, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print data managementtable, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation of preparing forprinting drawing image data, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an illustration for explaining a use scenario of theelectronic whiteboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating operation of processing printconfiguration, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B (FIG. 16) are an illustration of example screensdisplayed by the display at the electronic whiteboard;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating operation of processing printing,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating operation of processingprinting an image based on image data, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is an illustration for explaining a use scenario of the MFP,according to an embodiment.

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of thepresent invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scopethereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn toscale unless explicitly noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specificterminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosureof this specification is not intended to be limited to the specificterminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specificelement includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function,operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring to the drawings, a communication system 1 is described indetail according to embodiments.

<Overview of System Configuration>

First, an overview of a configuration of the communication system 1 isdescribed according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a configuration of the communication system 1 according tothe embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 of the embodimentincludes an electronic whiteboard 2 x, an electronic whiteboard 2 y, anIC card 3, a smart phone 4, a terminal management server 5, an MFP 9,PCs 10 a and 10 b, and a videoconference terminal 13. For simplicity, inthe following, any arbitrary one of the electronic whiteboards 2 x and 2y is referred to as the “electronic whiteboard 2”. Any arbitrary one ofthe PCs 10 a and 10 b is referred to as the “PC 10”.

The electronic whiteboard 2, the terminal management server 5, thedestination management server 6, the mail server 7, the print server 8,the MFP 9, the PC 10, and the videoconference terminal 13 arecommunicable with one another through a communication network 100. Thecommunication network 100 is implemented by the Internet, mobilecommunication network, local area network (LAN), etc. The communicationnetwork 100 may include, in addition to a wired network, a wirelessnetwork in compliance with such as 3rd Generation (3G), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution(LTE), etc. The electronic whiteboard 2, IC card 3, and smart phone 4are communicable with one another using a near-distance communicationtechnology in compliance with such as Near Field Communication (NFC)(Registered Trademark). The smart phone 4 may communicate with theelectronic whiteboard 2 using the near-distance communication technologyin compliance with such as Bluetooth (Registered Trademark).

One of the electronic whiteboard 2 a and the electronic whiteboard 2 btransmits or receives drawing image data representing a content drawn bya user (“drawing image data”), to or from the other one of theelectronic whiteboard 2 a and the electronic whiteboard 2 b. That is,the content drawn at the electronic whiteboard 2 a is displayed at theelectronic whiteboard 2 b, and the content drawn at the electronicwhiteboard 2 b is displayed at the electronic whiteboard 2 a.

The electronic whiteboard 2 generates image data in Refined PrintingCommand Stream (PRCS) based on the drawing image data, and transmits thegenerated image data to the MFP 9 through the communication network 100.The MFP 9 prints a drawing image based on the image data received fromthe electronic whiteboard 2. In another example, the electronicwhiteboard 2 generates image data in Portable Document Format (PDF)based on the drawing image data, and transmits an electronic mailattached with the generated image data to the PC 10 through thecommunication network 100. The PC 10 displays a drawing image based onthe image data extracted from the electronic mail.

The electronic whiteboard 2 may display an image other than the drawingimage drawn by the user (“non-drawing image”), such as an image of apresentation material. The electronic whiteboard 2 generates image datain PRCS based on non-drawing image data, and transmits the generatedimage data to the MFP 9 through the communication network 100. Inanother example, the electronic whiteboard 2 generates image data in PDFbased on the non-drawing image data, and transmits an electronic mailattached with the generated image data to the PC 10 through thecommunication network 100.

In this disclosure, the image data in PRCS and the image data in PDFeach represent a content of a drawing image drawn by a user, or anon-drawing image displayed by a user, for example. The electronicwhiteboard 2 is an example of a shared terminal to be shared by aplurality of users, such that the plurality of users can view the sameimage at a same time. The IC card 3 and the smart phone 4 are an exampleof a privately-owned terminal, privately owned by each user. Preferably,the privately-owned terminal is a portable terminal, which is easilycarried with the user, such as to the meeting. The MFP 9 is an exampleof a printer. The PC 10 is an example of an individual terminal operatedby an individual user. Examples of the PC 10 include a desktop PC, anotebook PC, and a tablet. In this disclosure, the individual terminalis a terminal that is operated by the user such as a terminal owned bythe user. The PC 10 does not have to be brought to the meeting, as longas the user is able to access his or her email address using the PC 10.

Further, the image data may be generated not only in PRCS, but in anyother desired format such as a printer control language (PCL), pagedescription language (PDL), or Post Script (PS).

In FIG. 1, the user A, who owns the IC card 3, brings the IC card 3 to ameeting being held with the electronic whiteboard 2. The user B, whoowns the smart phone 4, brings the smart phone 4 to the meeting beingheld with the electronic whiteboard 2. The PC 10 a is any PC owned bythe user A. The PC 10 b is any PC owned by the user B. In one example,the electronic whiteboard 2 may have a videoconference capability, tocarry out a videoconference with the videoconference terminal 13 bycommunicating video data and audio data through the communicationnetwork 100. Further, the electronic whiteboard 2 sends drawing imagedata reflecting a content drawn by the user A or B, to the MFP 9 throughthe communication network 100, to cause the MFP 9 to print an imagebased on the drawing image data.

The terminal management server 5 manages, for each user, a user nameidentifying the user in association with a terminal ID of the terminalthat is privately owned by the user.

<Hardware Configuration>

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, a hardware configuration of the apparatus orterminal in the communication system 1 is described according to theembodiment.

<Hardware Configuration of Electronic Whiteboard>

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theelectronic whiteboard 2, according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM)203, a solid state drive (SSD) 204, a network interface (UF) 205, and anexternal device connection interface (I/F) 206.

The CPU 201 controls entire operation of the electronic whiteboard 2.The ROM 202 stores a control program for operating the CPU 201 such asan Initial Program Loader (IPL). The RAM 203 is used as a work area forthe CPU 201. The SSD 204 stores various data such as the control programfor the electronic whiteboard 2. The network I/F 205 controlscommunication with an external device through the communication network100. The external device connection I/F 206 controls communication witha USB memory 2600, and external devices such as a camera 2400, a speaker2300, a microphone 2200, etc.

The electronic whiteboard 2 further includes a capturing device 211, agraphics processing unit (GPU) 212, a display controller 213, a contactsensor 214, a sensor controller 215, an electronic pen controller 216, anear-distance communication circuit 219, an antenna 219 a for thenear-distance communication circuit 219, and a power switch 222.

The capturing device 211 causes a display 508 of the PC 10 to display astill image or a video image based on image data that is captured by thecapturing device 211. The GPU 212 is a semiconductor chip dedicated toprocessing a graphical image. The display controller 213 controlsdisplay of an image processed at the GPU 212 for output through adisplay 220 provided with the electronic whiteboard 2. The contactsensor 214 detects a touch onto the display 220 with an electronic pen2500 or a user's hand H. The sensor controller 215 controls operation ofthe contact sensor 214. The contact sensor 715 senses a touch input to aspecific coordinate on the display 220 using the infrared blockingsystem. More specifically, the display 220 is provided with two lightreceiving elements disposed on both upper side ends of the display 220,and a reflector frame disposed at the sides of the display 220. Thelight receiving elements emit a plurality of infrared rays in parallelto a surface of the display 220. The light receiving elements receivelights passing in the direction that is the same as an optical path ofthe emitted infrared rays, which are reflected by the reflector frame.The contact sensor 214 outputs an identifier (ID) of the infrared raythat is blocked by an object (such as the user's hand) after beingemitted from the light receiving elements, to the sensor controller 215.Based on the ID of the infrared ray, the sensor controller 215 detects aspecific coordinate that is touched by the object. The electronic pencontroller 216 communicates with the electronic pen 2500 to detect atouch by the tip or bottom of the pen 15 to the display 220. Thenear-distance communication circuit 219 is a communication circuit thatcommunicates in compliance with the NFC, the Bluetooth, and the like.

The power switch 222 turns on or off the power of the electronicwhiteboard 2.

The electronic whiteboard 2 further includes a bus line 210. The busline 210 is an address bus or a data bus, which electrically connectsthe elements in FIG. 2 such as the CPU 201.

The contact sensor 214 is not limited to the infrared blocking systemtype, and may be a different type of detector, such as a capacitancetouch panel that identifies the contact position by detecting a changein capacitance, a resistance film touch panel that identifies thecontact position by detecting a change in voltage of two opposedresistance films, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel thatidentifies the contact position by detecting electromagnetic inductioncaused by contact of an object to a display. In addition or inalternative to detecting a touch by the tip or bottom of the pen 15, theelectronic pen controller 216 may also detect a touch by another part ofthe electronic pen 2500, such as a part held by a hand of the user.

<Hardware Configuration of IC Card>

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the IC card3 according to the embodiment. In this disclosure, the contactless ICcard is described, but contact IC card may be applied instead. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the IC card 3 includes an IC chip 310 and anantenna coil 330. The IC card 3 further includes a CPU 311, a ROM 312, aRAM 313, an Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM) 314, andan antenna I/F 318.

The CPU 311 controls entire operation of the IC card 3. The ROM 312stores a control program for operating the CPU 311. The RAM 313 is usedas a work area for the CPU 311. The EEPROM 314 stores various data suchas the control program for the IC card 3, and terminal ID foridentifying the IC card 3, and the like. The antenna I/F 318 controlstransmission or reception of data with an external device via theantenna coil 330.

The IC card 3 further includes a bus line 320. The bus line 320 is anaddress bus or a data bus, which electrically connects the elements inFIG. 3 such as the CPU 311.

The antenna coil 330 generates an electric current, which is induced asthe IC card 3 passes an electromagnetic field generated by radio wavesemitted from an external device such as a reader and writer. The IC card3 uses the generated electric current to activate the IC chip 310, andcommunicates with the external device, that is the reader and writer, toobtain or provide data with the external device.

<Hardware Configuration of Smart Phone>

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the smartphone 4 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the smartphone 4 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an EEPROM 404, aComplementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor 405, anacceleration and orientation sensor 406, a medium I/F 408, and a GPSreceiver 409.

The CPU 401 controls entire operation of the smart phone 4. The ROM 402stores a control program for controlling the CPU 401 such as an IPL. TheRAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The EEPROM 404 reads orwrites various data such as a control program for the smart phone 4under control of the CPU 401. The CMOS sensor 405 captures an object(mainly, the user operating the smart phone 4) under control of the CPU401 to obtain captured image data. The acceleration and orientationsensor 406 includes various sensors such as an electromagnetic compassor gyrocompass for detecting geomagnetism, and an acceleration sensor.The medium I/F 408 controls reading or writing of data with respect to arecording medium 407 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 409receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite.

The smart phone 4 further includes a far-distance communication circuit411, a camera 412, an imaging element 1/F 413, a microphone 414, aspeaker 415, an audio input/output I/F 416, a display 417, an externaldevice connection I/F 418, a near-distance communication circuit 419, anantenna 419 a for the near-distance communication circuit 419, and atouch panel 421.

The far-distance communication circuit 411 is a circuit thatcommunicates with other device through the communication network 100.The camera 412 is an example of imaging device capable of capturing asubject under control of the CPU 401, and is incorporated in the smartphone 4. The imaging element 1/F 413 is a circuit that controls drivingof the camera 412. The microphone 414 is an example of audio collectingdevice capable of inputting audio under control of the CPU 401, and isincorporated in the smart phone 4. The audio I/O I/F 416 is a circuitfor inputting or outputting an audio signal between the microphone 414and the speaker 415 under control of the CPU 401. The display 417 may bea liquid crystal or organic electro luminescence (EL) display thatdisplays an image of a subject, an operation icon, or the like. Theexternal device I/F 418 is an interface circuit that connects the smartphone 4 to various external devices. The near-distance communicationcircuit 419 is a communication circuit that communicates in compliancewith the NFC, the Bluetooth, and the like. The touch panel 421 is anexample of input device that enables the user to input a userinstruction through touching a screen of the display 417.

The smart phone 4 further includes a bus line 410. The bus line 410 isan address bus or a data bus, which electrically connects the elementsin FIG. 4 such as the CPU 401.

<Hardware Configuration of Server and PC>

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the serverand the PC, according to the embodiment. In this disclosure, since theterminal management server 5, PC 10 a, and PC 10 b have a substantiallythe same hardware structure, a hardware configuration of the terminalmanagement server 5 is described below as an example. In the followingdescription, even in case of describing the hardware configuration ofthe PC 10 a and PC 10 b, the elements in FIG. 5 are referred.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the terminal management server 5, which may beimplemented by a computer, includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, ahard disk (HD) 504, a hard disk drive (HDD) 505, a recording medium 506,a medium I/F 507, a display 508, a network I/F 509, a keyboard 511, amouse 512, a CD-ROM drive 514, and a bus line 510. Since the terminalmanagement server 5 operates as a server, an input device such as thekeyboard 511 and the mouse 512, or an output device such as the display508 does not have to be provided.

The CPU 501 controls entire operation of the terminal management server5. The ROM 502 stores a control program for controlling the CPU 501 suchas an IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD504 stores various data such as a control program. The HDD 505 controlsreading or writing of various data to or from the HDD 504 under controlof the CPU 501. The medium I/F 507 controls reading or writing of datawith respect to a recording medium 506 such as a flash memory. Thedisplay 508 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window,characters, or image. The network I/F 509 is an interface that controlscommunication of data with an external device through the communicationnetwork 100. The keyboard 511 is one example of input device providedwith a plurality of keys for allowing a user to input characters,numerals, or various instructions. The mouse 512 is one example of inputdevice for allowing the user to select a specific instruction orexecution, select a target for processing, or move a curser beingdisplayed. The CD-ROM drive 514 reads or writes various data withrespect to a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM) 513, which is one example ofremovable recording medium.

The terminal management server 5 further includes a bus line 510. Thebus line 510 may be an address bus or a data bus, which electricallyconnects various elements such as the CPU 501 of FIG. 5.

<Hardware Configuration of MFP>

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP 9,according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the MFP 9includes a controller 901, a near-distance communication circuit 920, anengine controller 930, a control panel 940, and a network I/F 950.

The controller 910 includes a CPU 901 as a main processor, a systemmemory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) 906, a local memory(MEM-C) 907, a HDD 908, and a HD 909. The NB 903 and the ASIC 906 areconnected through an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus 921.

The CPU 901 controls entire operation of the MFP 9. The NB 903 connectsthe CPU 901, with the MEM-P 902, SB 904, and AGP bus 921. The NB 903includes a memory controller for controlling reading or writing ofvarious data with respect to the MEM-P 902, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) master, and an AGP target.

The MEM-P 902 includes a ROM 902 a as a memory that stores program anddata for achieving various functions of the controller 910. The MEM-P902 further includes a RAM 902 b as a memory that deploys the programand data, or as a drawing memory that stores drawing data for printing.The program stored in the RAM 902 b may be stored in anycomputer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, floppy disk (FD),CD-R, or DVD, in a file format installable and executable by thecomputer, for distribution.

The SB 904 connects the NB 903 with a PCI bus 922 or a peripheraldevice. The ASIC 906 is an integrated circuit (IC) privately-owned toimage processing, and connects the AGP bus 905, PCI bus 922, HDD 908,and MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 includes a PCI target, an AGP master, anarbiter (ARB) as a central processor, a memory controller forcontrolling the MEM-C 907, a plurality of direct memory accesscontrollers (DMACs) capable of converting coordinates of image data witha hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scannercontroller 931 and the printer controller 932 through the PCI bus 922.The ASIC 906 may be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USC) interface,or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE1394)interface.

The MEM-C 907 is a local memory, which is used as a buffer for imagedata to be printed or code image. The HD 909 stores various image data,font data for printing, and form data. The HDD 908 reads or writesvarious data from or to the HD 909 under control of the CPU 901. The AGPbus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card, which hasbeen proposed to accelerate graphics processing. Through directlyaccessing the MEM-P 902 by high-throughput, processes by the AGP bus 921can be accelerated.

The near-distance communication circuit 920 is provided with an antenna920 a for the near-distance communication circuit 920. The near-distancecommunication circuit 920 is a communication circuit that communicatesin compliance with the NFC, the Bluetooth, and the like.

The engine controller 930 includes a scanner controller 931 and aprinter controller 932. The control panel 940 includes a display 940 aand various keys 940 b. The control panel 940 displays current settingsor a selection screen, and is provided with a touch panel for receivinga user input. The keys 940 b, which include such as a ten key and aStart key, are used by the user to enter set values of various imageforming parameters such as image density parameter. The controller 910controls entire operation of the MFP 9. In example operation, thecontroller 910 controls drawing, communication, or user inputs to thecontrol panel 940. The scanner controller 931 and the printer controller932 each perform various image processing, such as error diffusion orgamma conversion.

In response to an instruction to select a specific application throughthe control panel 940, for example, using a mode switch key, the MFP 9selectively performs a document box function, copy function, printfunction, and facsimile function. When the document box function isselected, the MFP 9 changes its operating mode to a document box mode tostore document data. With selection of the copy function, the MFP 90operates in a copy mode. With selection of the print function, the MFP 9operates in a printer mode. With selection of the facsimile function,the MFP 9 operates in a facsimile mode.

The network I/F 950 controls communication of data with an externaldevice through the communication network 100. The near-distancecommunication circuit 920 and the network I/F 950 are electricallyconnected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

<Hardware Configuration of Videoconference Terminal>

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of thevideoconference terminal 13 according to the embodiment. As illustratedin FIG. 7, the videoconference terminal 13 includes a CPU 101, a ROM102, a RAM 103, a flash memory 104, a SSD 105, a medium I/F 107, anoperation key 108, a power switch 109, a bus line 110, a network I/F111, a camera 112, an imaging element 1/F 113, a microphone 114, aspeaker 115, an audio input/output I/F 116, a display I/F 117, anexternal device connection I/F 118, a near-distance communicationcircuit 119, and an antenna 119 a for the near-distance communicationcircuit 119. The CPU 101 controls entire operation of thevideoconference terminal 13. The ROM 102 stores a control program forcontrolling the CPU 101 such as an IPL. The RAM 103 is used as a workarea for the CPU 101. The flash memory 104 stores various data such as acommunication control program, image data, and audio data. The SSD 105controls reading or writing of various data to or from the flash memory104 under control of the CPU 101. In alternative to the SSD, a hard diskdrive (HDD) may be used. The medium I/F 107 controls reading or writingof data with respect to a recording medium 106 such as a flash memory.The operation key (keys) 108 is operated by a user to input a userinstruction such as a user selection of a communication destination ofthe videoconference terminal 13. The power switch 109 is a switch thatreceives an instruction to turn on or off the power of thevideoconference terminal 13.

The network I/F 111 allows communication of data with an external devicethrough the communication network 100 such as the Internet. The camera112 is an example of built-in imaging device capable of capturing asubject under control of the CPU 101. The imaging element 1/F 113 is acircuit that controls driving of the camera 112. The microphone 114 isan example of built-in audio collecting device capable of inputtingaudio under control of the CPU 101. The audio I/O I/F 116 is a circuitfor inputting or outputting an audio signal between the microphone 114and the speaker 115 under control of the CPU 101. The display I/F 117 isa circuit for transmitting image data to an external display 120 undercontrol of the CPU 101. The external device connection I/F 118 is aninterface circuit that connects the videoconference terminal 13 tovarious external devices. The near-distance communication circuit 119 isa communication circuit that communicates in compliance with the NFC,the Bluetooth, and the like.

The bus line 110 may be an address bus or a data bus, which electricallyconnects various elements such as the CPU 101 of FIG. 7.

The display 120 is an example of a displaying unit, such as a liquidcrystal or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays animage of a subject, an operation icon, or the like. The display 120 isconnected to the display I/F 117 by a cable 120 c. The cable 120 c maybe an analog red green blue (RGB) (video graphic array (VGA)) signalcable, a component video cable, a high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) signal cable, or a digital video interactive (DVI) signal cable.

The camera 112 includes a lens and a solid-state imaging element thatconverts an image (video) of a subject to electronic data by convertinglight to electric charge. As the solid-state imaging element, forexample, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or acharge-coupled device (CCD) is used. The external device connection I/F118 is capable of connecting an external device such as an externalcamera, an external microphone, or an external speaker through a USBcable or the like. In the case where an external camera is connected,the external camera is driven in preference to the built-in camera 112under control of the CPU 101. Similarly, in the case where an externalmicrophone is connected or an external speaker is connected, theexternal microphone or the external speaker is driven in preference tothe built-in microphone 114 or the built-in speaker 115 under control ofthe CPU 101.

The recording medium 106 is removable from the videoconference terminal13. The recording medium 106 can be any non-volatile memory that readsor writes data under control of the CPU 101, such that any memory suchas an EEPROM may be used instead of the flash memory 104.

<Example Screens of Electronic Whiteboard>

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, example screens of the electronic whiteboard2 are described according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8 to 10 eachillustrate a screen displayed by the electronic whiteboard 2. Theelectronic whiteboard 2 displays, on the display 220, a drawing imagescreen 230 as illustrated in FIG. 8A, for example. The drawing imagescreen 230 displays a drawing image (such as a circle and a triangle infigure) drawn by the user with such as the electronic pen 2500. Thedrawing image screen 230 displays a “Menu” button 231 at the lowerright. The “Menu” button 231 is a graphical image, when selected by theuser, performs various types of functions of the electronic whiteboard2. When the user presses the “Menu” button 231 with such as theelectronic pen 2500, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the electronicwhiteboard 2 displays, on the drawing image screen 230, a menu selectionwindow (image) 232 for allowing selection of a function provided by theelectronic whiteboard 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the menu selection window 232 includes a“Read” button 234, a “Save” button 235, a “Print” button 236, an “Email”button 237, and a “QR code” button 239.

Of those buttons, the “Read” button 234 is a graphical image, which,when selected, causes the electronic whiteboard 2 to read drawing imagedata that is stored in the SSD 204 after the image is drawn, for displayonto the display 220. The “Save” button 235 is a graphical image, which,when selected, causes the electronic whiteboard 2 to store the drawingimage drawn by the user in the SSD 204 as the drawing image data. The“Print” button 236 is a graphical image, which, when selected, causesthe electronic whiteboard 2 to print the drawing image displayed on thedrawing image screen 230 using such as the MFP 9. The “Email” button 237is a graphical image, which, when selected, causes the electronicwhiteboard 2 to transmit the drawing image displayed on the drawingimage screen 230, as the drawing image data attached to the email. The“QR code” button 239 is a graphical image, which, when selected, causesthe electronic whiteboard 2 to display, on the display 220, a QR codeembedded with a device ID identifying the own device (that is, theelectronic whiteboard 2).

Next, example screens to be displayed by the electronic whiteboard 2when the buttons 234 to 237 and 239 are respectively selected, aredescribed.

In response to pressing of the “Read” button 234 by the user, theelectronic whiteboard 2 controls the display 220 to display a folderselection screen 240 as illustrated in FIG. 9A. The folder selectionscreen 240 displays a plurality of folder icons to be used for selectinga folder storing an electronic file to be read. When the user selects adesired folder icon (“folder 01”, for example) with the electronic pen2500, the electronic whiteboard 2 displays, on the display 220, a fileselection screen 245 as illustrated in FIG. 9B. The file selectionscreen 245 displays a plurality of file icons to be used for selectingan electronic file to be read. When the user selects a desired file iconwith the electronic pen 2500, the electronic whiteboard 2 displays, onthe display 220, a drawing image screen 230 including a drawing image ofthe selected file, as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

In response to pressing of the “Save” button 235 by the user, theelectronic whiteboard 2 controls the display 220 to display a folderselection screen 250 as illustrated in FIG. 9C. The folder selectionscreen 250 displays a plurality of folder icons to be used for selectinga folder to store an electronic file. The user selects the folder tostore the electronic file, by selecting a desired folder icon with theelectronic pen 2500.

In response to pressing of the “Print” button 236 by the user, theelectronic whiteboard 2 controls the display 220 to display a printconfiguration screen 260 as illustrated in FIG. 9D. The printconfiguration screen 260 displays various types of print parameters, anda pull-down menu to be used for changing a configuration for each of theprint parameters. The print configuration screen 260 includes the menus261 to 264, respectively, for selecting color or monochrome printing,selecting a sheet size (A4, A3, etc.), selecting faces to be printed(single-sided or duplex), and selecting the increase or decrease of anumber of pages to be printed. The print configuration screen 260further displays, in a field 265, a device name identifying a printer toprint (in this example, “MFP 9”). The print configuration screen 260displays a “Print” button 267 to be pressed by the user to startprinting. For each of the screens illustrated in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and9D, “Cancel” buttons 249, 259, and 269 are displayed to return to thedrawing image screen 230 illustrated in FIG. 8A.

In response to pressing of the “Email” button 237 by the user, theelectronic whiteboard 2 controls the display 220 to display adestination configuration screen 270 illustrated in FIG. 10A. Thedestination configuration screen 270 includes a “Registered addressbook” tab 271 for showing registered email addresses, and a “Manualinput” tab 272 for allowing the user to manually input an email addresswith such as the electronic pen 2500. In this example, a case where the“Registered address book” tab 271 is selected is displayed. Thedestination configuration screen 270 displays a registered address bookfield 273 that lists the registered email addresses. When the userselects a desired email address (in this example, “USER1@ . . . ”) withthe electronic pen 2500, the electronic whiteboard 2 displays the emailaddress selected by the user in an address configuration field 274 asillustrated in FIG. 10B. The destination configuration screen 270displays a “Send” button 277 to be selected by the user to starttransmission of email. In another example, the electronic whiteboard 2may display an email configuration screen 280 as illustrated in FIG.10C, as a screen to be displayed to an administrator or a serviceengineer, but not to the general user. The email configuration screen280 includes a server address field 281, a port number field 282, asender email address field 283, an authentication requirement field 284,an account field 285, and a password field 286.

The server address field 281 is a field to be entered with an IP addressof the mail server 7. The port number field 282 is a field to be enteredwith a port number of a port that the mail server 7 opens to acceptemails. The sender email field 283 is previously set with an emailaddress assigned to the electronic whiteboard 2, as the electronicwhiteboard 2 is an email sender. That is, the email sender is not a useroperating the electronic whiteboard 2, but is previously set as theelectronic whiteboard 2. The authentication requirement field 286 is afield to be set with information indicating whether or not to requestthe mail server 7 to authenticate the email sender. The account field285 and the password field 286 are entered with account information,which is to be used by the mail server 7 to authenticate the electronicwhiteboard two using Send Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

In response to pressing of the “QR code” button 239 by the user, theelectronic whiteboard 2 controls the display 220 to display a QR codedisplay screen 290 as illustrated in FIG. 10D. The QR code displayscreen 290 displays a QR code 291 embedded with the device 1D foridentifying the electronic whiteboard 2 (the own device). For example,the user activates a QR code reader application installed on such as thesmart phone, to cause the activated reader application to read the QRcode 291 to obtain the device ID. The QR code display screen 290 furtherincludes an “End” button 297, which switches back from the QR codedisplay screen 290 to the drawing image screen 230. For each of thescreens illustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, “Cancel” buttons 279 and289 are displayed to return to the drawing image screen 230 illustratedin FIG. 8A.

Any one of the IDs described above is an example of identificationinformation identifying the device or terminal, or the user operatingthe device or terminal. In alternative to the device ID or terminal IDfor identifying a specific device, a manufacturing number may be used asidentification information for identifying the device or terminal. Inalternative to the user name identifying a specific user, any user namecapable of identifying the user such as a user's nickname may beregistered.

Further, any one of the above-described control programs may be recordedin a file in a format installable or executable on a computer-readablerecording medium for distribution. Examples of the recording mediuminclude, but not limited to, a compact disc-recordable (CD-R), digitalversatile disc (DVD), blue-ray disc, and SD card. In addition, suchrecording medium may be provided in the form of a program product tousers within a certain country or outside that country.

The server 5 may be configured by a single computer or a plurality ofcomputers to which divided portions (functions or storages) arearbitrarily allocated.

<Functional Configuration of Communication System>

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a functional configuration of thecommunication system 1 is described according to the embodiment. FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of thecommunication system 1. In FIG. 11, only a part of those terminals,devices, and servers illustrated in FIG. 1 is illustrated, which relatesto processing or operation of printing drawing image data, as describedbelow. In other words, the electronic whiteboard 2 y and videoconferenceterminal 13 do not have to be provided. Since the IC card 3 and thesmart phone 4 both have the same function of providing the terminal IDidentifying the own device, to the electronic whiteboard 2, the examplecase of using the IC card 3 is described in the following embodimentreferring to FIG. 11.

<Functional Configuration of Electronic Whiteboard>

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes atransmitter and receiver 21, an acceptance unit 22, an image and audioprocessor 23, a display control 24, a determiner 25, a first generator26 a, a second generator 26 b, an obtainer and provider 28, and astoring and reading processor 29. These units are functions that areimplemented by or that are caused to function by operating any of theelements illustrated in FIG. 2 in cooperation with the instructions ofthe CPU 201 according to the electronic whiteboard control programexpanded from the SSD 204 to the RAM 203. The electronic whiteboard 2further includes a memory 2000, which is implemented by the RAM 203 andSSD 204 illustrated in FIG. 2.

(Each Functional Unit of Electronic Whiteboard)

Next, each functional unit of the electronic whiteboard 2 is describedaccording to the embodiment. The transmitter and receiver 21, which maybe implemented by the instructions of the CPU 201, the network I/F 205,and the external device connection I/F 206, illustrated in FIG. 2,transmits or receives various data (or information) to or from otherterminal, apparatus, or system through the communication network 100.

The acceptance unit 22, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 201, the contact sensor 215, and the electronic pen controller 216,illustrated in FIG. 2, accepts various inputs from the user.

The image and audio processor 23 is implemented by the instructions ofthe CPU 201, illustrated in FIG. 2. The image and audio processor 23applies image processing to an image of a subject that has been capturedby the camera 2400. After the audio of the user is converted to an audiosignal by the microphone 2200, the image and audio processor 23 appliesprocessing to audio data based on this audio signal. The image and audioprocessor 23 outputs the audio signal according to the audio data to thespeaker 2300, and the speaker 2300 outputs audio. The image and audioprocessor 23 obtains drawing image data, drawn by the user with theelectronic pen 2500 or the user's hand H onto the display 220, andconverts the drawing image data to coordinate data. For example, whenthe electronic whiteboard 2 x transmits the coordinate data to thewhiteboard 2 y at another site, the electronic whiteboard 2 y controlsthe display 220 to display a drawing image having the same content basedon the received coordinate data.

The display control 24, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 and by the display controller 213illustrated in FIG. 2, controls the display 220 to display a drawingimage.

The determiner 25, which is implemented by the instructions of the CPU201 illustrated in FIG. 2, determines whether the electronic whiteboard2 has received any terminal ID, for example, from the IC card 3 or thesmart phone 4.

The first generator 26 a, which is implemented by the instructions ofthe CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, generates image data in such as PRCS,from the drawing image data in bitmap that has been generated based ondrawing by the user. The second generator 26 b, which is implemented bythe instructions of the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, generates imagedata in PDF, from the drawing image data in bitmap that has beengenerated based on drawing by the user.

The obtainer and provider 28, which is implemented by the instructionsof the CPU 201 and the near-distance communication circuit 219 with theantenna 219 a, illustrated in FIG. 2, communicates with the IC card 3 orthe smart phone 4 to obtain or provide data from or to the IC card 3 orthe smart phone 4 by near-distance communication.

The storing and reading processor 29, which is implemented by theinstructions of the CPU 201 and the SSD 204 illustrated in FIG. 2,performs processing to store various types of data in the memory 2000 orthe recording medium 2100 or to read various types of data stored in thememory 2000 or the recording medium 2100. Further, every time image dataand audio data are received in performing communication with otherelectronic whiteboard or videoconference terminal, the memory 2000overwrites the image data and audio data. The display 220 displays animage based on image data before being overwritten, and the speaker 2300outputs audio based on audio data before being overwritten. Therecording medium 2100 is implemented by the USB memory 2600 illustratedin FIG. 2.

<Functional Configuration of IC Card>

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the IC card 3 includes an obtainer andprovider 38, and a storing and reading processor 39. These units arefunctions that are implemented by or that are caused to function byoperating any of the elements illustrated in FIG. 3 in cooperation withthe instructions of the CPU 311 according to the IC card control programexpanded from the EEPROM 314 to the RAM 313. The IC card 3 furtherincludes a memory 3000, which is implemented by the RAM 313 and theEEPROM 314 illustrated in FIG. 3.

(Each Functional Unit of IC Card)

Next, each functional unit of the IC card 3 is described according tothe embodiment. The obtainer/provider 38, which is implemented by theinstructions of the CPU 311 and the antenna coil 330 illustrated in FIG.3, communicates with the electronic whiteboard 2 to obtain or providedata from or to the electronic whiteboard 2 by near-distancecommunication.

The storing and reading processor 39, which is implemented by theinstructions of the CPU 311 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs processingto store various types of data in the memory 3000 or read various typesof data stored in the memory 3000. The memory 3000 stores a terminal IDfor identifying the IC card 3 as one example of privately-ownedterminal. In case the privately-owned terminal is the smart phone 4, thememory 3000 stores a terminal ID for identifying the smart phone 4.

<Functional Configuration of Terminal Management Server>

The terminal management server 5 includes a transmitter and receiver 51,an authenticator 52, and a storing and reading processor 59. These unitsare functions that are implemented by or that are caused to function byoperating any of the elements illustrated in FIG. 5 in cooperation withthe instructions of the CPU 501 according to the terminal controlprogram expanded from the HD 504 to the RAM 503. The terminal managementserver 5 includes a memory 5000 implemented by the HD 504 illustrated inFIG. 5.

(Terminal Management Table)

FIG. 12A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal managementtable according to the embodiment. The memory 5000 stores a terminalmanagement DB 5001, which is implemented by the terminal managementtable illustrated in FIG. 12A. The terminal management table illustratedin FIG. 12A stores, for each one of a plurality of privately-ownedterminals (IC card 3, smart phone 4) registered to the terminalmanagement server 5, a user name identifying a user who owns theprivately-owned terminal in association with the terminal ID identifyingthe privately-owned terminal.

(Each Functional Unit of Destination Management Server)

Next, each functional unit of the terminal management server 5 isdescribed in detail according to the embodiment. In the followingdescription of the functional configuration of the terminal managementserver 5, relationships of one or more hardware elements in FIG. 5 witheach functional unit of the terminal management server 5 in FIG. 11 willalso be described.

The transmitter and receiver 51 of the terminal management server 5illustrated in FIG. 11, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 5 and by the network I/F 509 illustrated inFIG. 5, transmits or receives various types of data (or information) toor from another terminal, device, or system via the communicationnetwork 100.

The authenticator 52, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 5, determines whether a terminal IDtransmitted from the electronic whiteboard 2 is a privately-ownedterminal (IC card 3, smart phone 4) owned by the authorized user, whichis previously registered.

The storing and reading processor 59, which is implemented by theinstructions of the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 5 and the HDD 505illustrated in FIG. 5, performs processing to store various types ofdata in the memory 5000 or read various types of data stored in thememory 5000.

<Functional Configuration of MFP>

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the MFP 9 includes a transmitter and receiver91, an acceptance unit 92, a printer 93, a display control 94, adeterminer 95, an obtainer and provider 98, and a storing and readingprocessor 99. These units are functions that are implemented by or thatare caused to function by operating any of the hardware elementsillustrated in FIG. 6 in cooperation with the instructions of the CPU901 according to the printer control program expanded onto the RAM 902b. The MFP 9 further includes a memory 9000 implemented by the HD 909illustrated in FIG. 6.

(Print Data Management Table)

FIG. 12B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print data managementtable, according to the embodiment. The memory 9000 stores a print datamanagement DB 9001 implemented by the print data management tableillustrated in FIG. 12B. The print data management table illustrated inFIG. 12B stores, for each one of a plurality of print jobs, a user nameidentifying a user who requests for printing, a file name of data to beprinted (“print data”) such as image data to be printed, and a printconfiguration parameter to be used for printing such data, inassociation with one another.

In the following description of the functional configuration of the MFP9, relationships of the elements in FIG. 6 with the functionalconfiguration of the MFP 9 in FIG. 11 will also be described.

The transmitter/receiver 91 of the MFP 9 illustrated in FIG. 11, whichis implemented by the instructions of the CPU 901 illustrated in FIG. 6and by the network I/F 950 illustrated in FIG. 6, transmits or receivesvarious types of data (or information) to or from another terminal,device, or system via the communication network 100.

The acceptance unit 92, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 901 and the control panel 940 illustrated in FIG. 6, accepts variousinputs from the user.

The printer 93, which is implemented by the instructions of the CPU 901and the printer controller 932 illustrated in FIG. 6, prints an imagebased on the data to be printed (print data), such as image data, usingan image forming device.

The display control 94, which is implemented by the instructions of theCPU 901 and the control panel 940 illustrated in FIG. 6, displays,through the control panel 940, various print configuration parameterssuch as information indicating color printing or monochrome printing.

The determiner 95, which is implemented by the instructions of the CPU901, determines whether a name of a requester in the print data is theelectronic whiteboard 2.

The obtainer and provider 98, which is implemented by the instructionsof the CPU 901 and the near-distance communication circuit 920 with theantenna 920 a, illustrated in FIG. 6, communicates with the IC card 3 orthe smart phone 4 to obtain or provide data from or to the IC card 3 orthe smart phone 4 by near-distance communication.

The storing and reading processor 99, which may be implemented by theinstructions of the CPU 901 and the HDD 908, illustrated in FIG. 6,performs processing to store various types of data in the memory 9000 orread various types of data stored in the memory 9000.

<Operation>

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 19, operation performed by the communicationsystem 1 is explained according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 13 is a data sequence diagram illustrating operation forpreparing printing of drawing image data, according to the embodiment.FIG. 14 is an illustration for explaining a use scenario of theelectronic whiteboard 2, according to the embodiment. The followingdescribes an example case in which the user A and the user B are havinga meeting in a certain meeting room using the electronic whiteboard 2 x,as illustrated in FIG. 1. After an image is drawn by at least one of theuser A and the user B, the electronic whiteboard 2 x transmits imagedata relating to the drawing image, such as the drawing image data, tothe MFP 9. The near-distance communication device 221 of the electronicwhiteboard 2 x is implemented by the near-distance communication circuit219 and the antenna 219 a, which functions as the obtainer and provider28.

Referring to FIG. 13, the users A and B conduct the meeting, using adrawing image drawn on the electronic whiteboard 2 x with the electronicpen 15. The electronic whiteboard 2 x processes the drawing image drawnby the user A or B to generate drawing image data (S31). As describedabove, the drawing image data may be transmitted to the MFP 9. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, for example, after drawing an image, the user Abrings his or her IC card 3 into proximity of the near-distancecommunication device 221 of the electronic whiteboard 2 x. Theelectronic whiteboard 2 x starts processing to prepare for printing ofdrawing image data (S32). More specifically, the obtainer and provider28 of the electronic whiteboard 2 x obtains the terminal ID foridentifying the IC card 3 (as the privately-owned terminal), from theobtainer and provider 38 of the IC card 3. Referring to FIG. 15,operation of processing print configuration, performed at S32, isdescribed in detail. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating operation ofprocessing print configuration, according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the determiner 25 of the electronicwhiteboard 2 x determines whether the terminal ID is obtained at theobtainer and provider 28 (S32-1). In this example, it is assumed thatthe determiner 25 determines that the terminal ID is obtained (“YES”),and the operation proceeds to S33 illustrated in FIG. 13.

In contrary, at S32-1, when the determiner 25 determines that theterminal ID is not obtained (“NO”), the determiner 25 further determineswhether an instruction to display the print configuration screen 260 isaccepted (S32-2). At S32-2, when the determiner 25 determines that theinstruction to display the destination configuration screen 260 is notaccepted (“NO” at S32-2), the operation returns to S32-1.

In contrary, at S32-2, when the determiner 25 determines that theinstruction to display the destination configuration screen 260 isaccepted (“YES” at S32-2), the display control 24 causes the display 220to display the destination configuration screen 260 as illustrated inFIG. 9D (S32-3). Assuming that the user A instructs printing, the user Apresses the “Menu” button 231 illustrated in FIG. 8A, to cause thedisplay 220 to display the menu selection screen 232 as illustrated inFIG. 8B. The user A further presses the “Print” button 236 to displaythe print configuration screen 260 illustrated in FIG. 9D. In such case,as illustrated in FIG. 16A, the display control 24 may display a printconfiguration screen 260 a, with a print requester field 266 indicatingthat the print requester is the “electronic whiteboard”. The “electronicwhiteboard” to be displayed in this field is any text, which ispreviously set in the electronic whiteboard 2. The operation thenproceeds to S37 of FIG. 13.

Assuming that the determiner 25 determines that the terminal ID isobtained (“YES” at S32-1), processing after S33 is described referringto FIG. 13.

The transmitter and receiver 21 of the electronic whiteboard 2 xtransmits an authentication request for authenticating the IC card 3 tothe terminal management server 5 (S33). The authentication requestincludes the terminal ID of the IC card 3, obtained at the obtainer andprovider 28. The terminal management server 5 receives theauthentication request at the transmitter and receiver 51.

The authenticator 52 of the terminal management server 5 authenticatesthe IC card 3 using the terminal ID that is obtained (S34). Morespecifically, the storing and reading processor 59 searches the terminalmanagement table (FIG. 12A) in the terminal management DB 5001 using theterminal ID received at S33 as a search key, to obtain the user nameassociated with the terminal ID. When the user name associated with theterminal ID is found, the authenticator 52 confirms to determine thatthe IC card 3 (terminal ID) is a legitimate IC card owned by theauthorized user identified with the user name that is found. When theuser name associated with the terminal ID is not found, theauthenticator 52 determines that the IC card 3 (terminal ID) is not alegitimate IC card owned by the authorized user.

Next, the transmitter and receiver 51 of the terminal management server5 transmits an authentication result to the electronic whiteboard 2 x(S35). When the authenticator 52 determines that the IC card 3 is alegitimate IC card, the authentication result includes informationindicating that the IC card 3 is a legitimate IC card and the user nameidentifying the user who owns the IC card 3. When the authenticator 52determines that the IC card 3 is not a legitimate IC card, theauthentication result includes information indicating that the IC card 3is not a legitimate IC card. The transmitter and receiver 21 of theelectronic whiteboard 2 x receives the authentication result.

Next, the electronic whiteboard 2 x performs processing based on theauthentication result (S36). In one example, when the authenticationresult includes information indicating that the IC card 3 is not alegitimate IC card, the display control 24 controls the display 220 todisplay a message indicating that printing is not allowed. When theauthentication result includes information indicating that the IC card 3is a legitimate IC card, the display control 24 of the electronicwhiteboard 2 x displays the print configuration screen 260 illustratedin FIG. 9D. As described above, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the user onlyneeds to bring the IC card 3 into proximity to the near-distancecommunication device 221 to display the print configuration screen 260,such that pressing of the “Menu” button 231 or the “Print” button 236 isnot needed. In this example, in alternative to displaying the printconfiguration screen 260, the display control 24 may display a printconfiguration screen 260 b with the print requester field 266 indicatingthat the print requester is “Kato”, as illustrated in FIG. 16B. Morespecifically, the display control 24 displays the user name, which isreceived at S35, which indicates the user who owns the IC card 3.

Next, using the print configuration screen of FIG. 9D, FIG. 16A, or FIG.16B, the acceptance unit 22 of the electronic whiteboard 2 x accepts setvalues of one or more print configuration parameters, with pressing of“Print” button 267 (S37). The first generator 26 a generates image datain PRCS, from the drawing image data in bitmap that has been generatedbased on drawing by the user A or B, as print data (S38). When thedeterminer 25 determines that the terminal ID is obtained at S32-1 ofFIG. 15 (“YES” at S32-1), S33 to S35 are performed to obtain the username of the user who requests a print job using the IC card 3. The firstgenerator 26 a changes the print requester name in the print data, fromthe electronic whiteboard (“electronic whiteboard 2A” in this example)to the user name that is obtained (“user A” in this example) (S39). Whenthe operation of FIG. 15 proceeds to S32-3, the first generator 26 aleaves the print requester name in the print data as it is, to indicatethat the electronic whiteboard is the print requester. For example, theprint requester name may be associated with the print data as attributedata or included as header data.

Referring back to FIG. 13, the transmitter and receiver 21 transmits theprint data generated at S38, which may be modified at S39, to the MFP 9(S40). In addition to the print requester name, the print data includesother information regarding the print data such as a file name and printconfiguration parameters with the set values, for example, as attributedata. The transmitter and receiver 91 of the MFP 9 receives the printdata.

Further, when the determiner 25 determines that the terminal ID is notobtained at S32-1 of FIG. 15, at S40, the transmitter and receiver 21 ofthe electronic whiteboard 2 x further transmits information indicatingthat authentication is not to be performed before printing, to the MFP9, with the print data. When the determiner 25 determines that theterminal ID is obtained at S32-1 of FIG. 15, at S40, the transmitter andreceiver 21 of the electronic whiteboard 2 x further transmitsinformation indicating that authentication is to be performed beforeprinting, to the MFP 9, with the print data.

Next, the MFP 9 processes printing (S41). Referring to FIG. 17,operation of processing printing, performed at S41, is described indetail. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating operation of processingprinting, according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the determiner 95 determines whetherinformation indicating authentication is not to be performed is received(S41-1). When the determiner 95 determines that information indicatingauthentication is not to be performed is received (“YES” at S41-1), theprinter 93 prints out an image based on the print data (S41-2).

When the determiner 95 determines that information indicatingauthentication is not to be performed is not received, that is,information indicating authentication is to be performed is received(“NO” at S41-1), the printer 93 does not print out an image based on theprint data. Instead, the storing and reading processor 99 stores theprint data received at S40 in the memory 9000, and further storesinformation regarding the print data in the print data management tableof FIG. 12B (S41-3). As described above, the information regarding theprint data includes the print requester name, the file name of the printdata, and the set values of the print configuration parameters.

As described above, as the user A brings the IC card 3 into proximity tothe near-distance communication device 221, the electronic whiteboard 2x obtains a user name of the user, which is associated with the terminalID stored in the IC card 3. When a print request is received from theuser identified with the IC card 3, the electronic whiteboard 2 xtransmits print data to the MFP 9 to cause the print data be stored inthe MFP 9. Alternatively, the user A may press the “Menu” button 231 ofFIG. 8B, and further press the “Print” button 236 in the menu selectionscreen 232, to request for printing. In such case, the electronicwhiteboard 2 x transmits print data to the MFP 9 to cause the print databe printed by the MFP 9.

Referring to FIG. 18, operation of processing printing, performed afterS41-3, is described according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a datasequence diagram illustrating operation of printing data such as imagedata (print data), according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is anillustration for explaining a use scenario of the MFP 9, according tothe embodiment. The near-distance communication device 921 of the MFP 9is implemented by the near-distance communication circuit 920 and theantenna 920 a, which functions as the obtainer and provider 98.

As the user A brings the IC card 3 into proximity to the near-distancecommunication device 921 of the MFP 9, the obtainer and provider 98 ofthe MFP 9 obtains the terminal ID for identifying the IC card 3 (as theprivately-owned terminal), from the obtainer and provider 38 of the ICcard 3 (S51). The transmitter and receiver 91 of the MFP 9 transmits anauthentication request for authenticating the IC card 3 to the terminalmanagement server 5 (S52). The authentication request includes theterminal ID of the IC card 3, obtained at the obtainer and provider 98.The terminal management server 5 receives the authentication request atthe transmitter and receiver 51.

The authenticator 52 of the terminal management server 5 authenticatesthe IC card 3 using the terminal ID that is obtained (S53). Morespecifically, the storing and reading processor 59 searches the terminalmanagement table (FIG. 12A) in the terminal management DB 5001 using theterminal ID received at S52 as a search key, to obtain the user nameassociated with the terminal ID. When the user name associated with theterminal ID is found, the authenticator 52 confirms to determine thatthe IC card 3 (terminal ID) is a legitimate IC card owned by theauthorized user identified with the user name that is found. When theuser name associated with the terminal ID is not found, theauthenticator 52 determines that the IC card 3 (terminal ID) is not alegitimate IC card owned by the authorized user.

Next, the transmitter and receiver 51 of the terminal management server5 transmits an authentication result to the MFP 9 (S54). When theauthenticator 52 determines that the IC card 3 is a legitimate IC card,the authentication result includes information indicating that the ICcard 3 is a legitimate IC card and the user name identifying the userwho owns the IC card 3. When the authenticator 52 determines that the ICcard 3 is not a legitimate IC card, the authentication result includesinformation indicating that the IC card 3 is not a legitimate IC card.The transmitter and receiver 91 of the MFP 9 receives the authenticationresult.

When the authentication result received at S54 includes informationindicating that the IC card 3 is a legitimate IC card, the storing andreading processor 99 of the MFP 9 searches the print data managementtable (FIG. 12B) using the user name received at S54 as a search key, toobtain the file name associated with the received user name (S55). Thestoring and reading processor 99 further reads print data identifiedwith the file name, which is read at S55, from the memory 9000 (S56).The printer 93 forms an image on a recording sheet based on the printdata, and outputs the printed image (S57).

As described above, as long as the user such as the user A brings his orher IC card 3 into proximity of the near-distance communication device921, the electronic whiteboard 2 x automatically displays the printconfiguration screen 260 b as illustrated in FIG. 9D. This simplifiesuser operation, compared to the case in which the user A presses the“Menu” button 231 illustrated in FIG. 8A to display the menu selectionscreen 232 as illustrated in FIG. 8B, and further presses the “Print”button 236 to display the print configuration screen 260 illustrated inFIG. 9D. The electronic whiteboard 2, which is an example of sharedterminal, is not frequently used by one user who regularly uses his orher privately-owned terminal. This means that the user hardly remembershow to print the drawing image data with the electronic whiteboard 2.However, in the above-described embodiment, the user only needs to bringhis or her IC card 3 close to the near-distance communication device 221to display the print configuration screen 260 b. This eliminates a needfor requiring the user to search for a procedure of printing with theelectronic whiteboard 2. Accordingly, the users using the meeting roomare able to leave the meeting right after the meeting ends, withoutcausing other user who reserves that meeting room to wait.

Moreover, in response to a request for printing using theprivately-owned terminal, the electronic whiteboard 2 x prints out onlywhen the terminal management server 5 authenticates the terminal ID(S34, S35) obtained from the IC card 3, thus improving the securitylevel.

In any one of the above-described embodiments, the electronic whiteboard2 x displays the print confirmation screen illustrated in FIG. 9D or 16Bin response to detection of the IC card 3 or the smart phone 4 intoproximity of the near-distance communication device 221. Alternatively,this process of displaying the print confirmation screen (S36, S37) maybe omitted. In such case, in response to detection of the IC card 3 orthe smart phone 4 owned by the user A to the near-distance communicationdevice 221, the electronic whiteboard 2 x automatically transmits, tothe MFP 9, the print data with print configuration parameters that areset with default values. This further reduces time required forpreparing printing of the print data by the user.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit thepresent invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may becombined with each other and/or substituted for each other within thescope of the present invention.

For example, the user may instruct the electronic whiteboard 2 to print,using the MFP 9, any desired data regarding an image being displayed onthe display 220 of the electronic whiteboard 2. Examples of such dataregarding the image include, but not limited to, drawing image data thatreflects drawings made by the user as described above, and non-drawingimage data such as data of a presentation material as described above.For example, the data of the presentation material having additionaldrawing made by the user, may be printed.

In another example, the electronic whiteboard 2 may generate print databased on image data of an electronic watermark, in addition to strokedata corresponding to the stroke data that reflects drawings made by theuser. The electronic watermark data is any image, which is superimposedon a layer of the stroke data (that is, the drawing image data) fordisplay to the user. The electronic watermark data may be stored in anydesired memory, such as a memory of the electronic whiteboard 2. To makethe stroke data visible to the user, the watermark data is displayed,for example, in partly transparent. For example, the image with the word“confidential” may be superimposed on the drawing image data, to warnthe user that the drawing image data is confidential. When sending thedrawing image data for printing, which is displayed with the watermarkdata, the electronic whiteboard 2 may generate print data of the drawingimage data and the watermark data, and send the print data to the MFP 9.With the watermark being printed with the drawing image data (or anyother image data), the user is able to know that such image data isconfidential information.

For example, when sending the print data for printing in response todetection of the “Print” button 236 (that is, without authenticating theuser with the IC card 3), the electronic whiteboard 2 may send the printdata with the watermark data. When sending the print data for printingin response to detection of the IC card 3 (that is, with authenticatingthe user with the IC card 3), the electronic whiteboard 2 may send theprint data without the watermark data.

In another example, the electronic whiteboard 2 may display the imagedata, such as the drawing image data, without the electronic watermarkdata. When sending the drawing image data for printing, the electronicwhiteboard 2 may generate print data of the drawing image data and thewatermark data, and send the print data to the MFP 9. This improvesvisibility to the user during videoconferencing or any conferencing,while increasing a level of security when printing image data.

As described above, examples of the data regarding the image includedata of an image being displayed at the electronic whiteboard such asthe drawing image data, the drawing image data with the watermark data,any presentation material, etc. Other examples of the data regarding theimage include data relating to the displayed image such as the watermarkdata.

Examples of drawings made by the user include, but not limited to,characters, marks, figures, etc., which may be drawn by the user eithermanually or using any graphics processing tool.

Further, the drawing image data may be captured at a time when a userinstruction for sending the drawing image data is received.Alternatively, the drawing image data may be obtained from a localmemory of the electronic whiteboard 2. For instance, the user mayinstruct the electronic whiteboard 2 to send drawing image data, whichhas been previously stored in a memory or read out from a removablerecording medium. In such case, the user may firstly cause theelectronic whiteboard 2 to display such image on the display 220 to beshared by a plurality of uses.

Further, the above-described example case assumes that only one user(user A) instructs to send drawing image data for printing.Alternatively, any number of users may instruct the electronicwhiteboard 2 to send drawing image data for printing. With detection ofthe terminal identification information, the electronic whiteboard 2repeats operation of obtaining a user name, and sending print data withother information regarding the print data to the MFP 9.

Further, the communication system 1 may include more than one MFP 9. Insuch case, the electronic whiteboard 2 may allow the user to select oneof the MFP 9 (or any other device capable of printing) as a destinationof print data.

Furthermore, the communication system 1 may further include a printserver, which stores the print data management DB 9001 for a pluralityof MFPs 9 or any other devices capable of printing. In such case, whenan instruction to print is received via the “Print” button 236 withoutauthentication of the IC card 3, the electronic whiteboard 2 requeststhe user to select a specific MFP 9 for printing, or automaticallyselect a default MFP 9, to print out an image based on the print data,without requiring authentication. When an instruction to print isreceived with authentication of the IC card 3, the electronic whiteboard2 sends print data to the print server, with other information regardingthe print data for registration to the print data management DB 9001.When the user brings his or her IC card 3 into proximity to a specificMFP 9, the MFP 9 authenticates the user, and when authentication issuccessful, the MFP 9 requests the print server for one or more printjobs (that is, print data) that have been registered by the user. Inresponse to an instruction to print from the user, the MFP 9 prints animage based on the print data.

Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented byone or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitryincludes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. Aprocessing circuit also includes devices such as an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), and conventional circuit componentsarranged to perform the recited functions.

1. A shared terminal, comprising: circuitry to: control a display todisplay an image to a plurality of users, the plurality of users sharinga use of the shared terminal; and obtain, from a first privately-ownedterminal owned by a first user of the plurality of users, first terminalidentification information for identifying the first privately-ownedterminal; a transmitter to transmit an authentication request forauthenticating the first privately-owned terminal to a terminalmanagement server, the authentication request including the firstterminal identification information of the first privately-ownedterminal; and a receiver to receive an authentication result ofauthenticating the first privately-owned terminal from the terminalmanagement server, wherein, when the authentication result indicatesthat the first privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal, thetransmitter transmits a print request for printing data relating to theimage being displayed to a printer through a network.
 2. The sharedterminal of claim 1, wherein, when the authentication result indicatesthat the first privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal, thecircuitry further controls the display to display a print configurationscreen for allowing the first user to set one or more printconfiguration parameters, and controls the transmitter to transmitinformation regarding set values of the print configuration parametersto the printer through the network with the print request.
 3. The sharedterminal of claim 2, wherein the circuitry further controls the displayto display a name of a requester issuing the print request in the printconfiguration screen.
 4. The shared terminal of claim 2, wherein thecircuitry further controls the transmitter to further transmit to theprinter a name of a requester issuing the print request.
 5. The sharedterminal of claim 4, wherein, when the authentication result indicatesthat the first privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal, thecircuitry further obtains, from the authentication result, a name of thefirst user who owns the first privately-owned terminal, and controls thetransmitter to transmit the name of the first user, as the name of therequester issuing the print request.
 6. The shared terminal of claim 2,wherein, in response to a user operation of drawing an image on adisplay surface of the display, the circuitry controls the display todisplay a drawing image that reflects the user operation of drawing, asthe image being displayed.
 7. The shared terminal of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry obtains the first terminal identification information bynear-distance communication technology.
 8. The shared terminal of claim7, wherein the near-distance communication technology is in compliancewith Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth.
 9. The shared terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the shared terminal is an electronicwhiteboard provided with the display.
 10. A communication systemcomprising: the shared terminal of claim 1; and the terminal managementserver connected to the shared terminal through the network, theterminal management server including: a memory to store terminalidentification information identifying a privately-owned terminal inassociation with a name of a user who owns the privately-owned terminal;and circuitry to determine whether the first terminal identificationinformation received from the shared terminal is stored in the memory togenerate the authentication result.
 11. The communication system ofclaim 10, further comprising: the privately-owned terminal, theprivately-owned terminal including at least one of an IC card and asmart phone.
 12. The communication system of claim 10, furthercomprising the printer connected to the shared terminal through thenetwork, the printer including: a receiver to receive the print requestfrom the shared terminal, the print request being transmitted with thedata to be printed and information regarding the data to be printed; andcircuitry to: store, in a memory, the data to be printed and informationregarding the data to be printed; in response to obtaining the firstterminal identification information from the first privately-ownedterminal, transmits the first terminal identification information to theterminal management server to request for authenticating the firstprivately-owned terminal; and print an image based on the data to beprinted, in accordance with an authentication result indicating that thefirst privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal.
 13. A method ofcontrolling transmission of an image, performed by a shared terminal,the method comprising: displaying, on a display, an image to a pluralityof users, the plurality of users sharing a use of the shared terminal;and obtaining, from a first privately-owned terminal owned by a firstuser of the plurality of users, first terminal identificationinformation for identifying the first privately-owned terminal;transmitting an authentication request for authenticating the firstprivately-owned terminal to a terminal management server, theauthentication request including the first terminal identificationinformation of the first privately-owned terminal; receiving anauthentication result of authenticating the first privately-ownedterminal from the terminal management server; and when theauthentication result indicates that the first privately-owned terminalis a legitimate terminal, transmitting a print request for printing datarelating to the image being displayed to a printer through a network.14. A non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality ofinstructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause theprocessors to perform a method of controlling transmission of an image,the method comprising: displaying, on a display, an image to a pluralityof users, the plurality of users sharing a use of a shared terminal; andobtaining, from a first privately-owned terminal owned by a first userof the plurality of users, first terminal identification information foridentifying the first privately-owned terminal; transmitting anauthentication request for authenticating the first privately-ownedterminal to a terminal management server, the authentication requestincluding the first terminal identification information of the firstprivately-owned terminal; receiving an authentication result ofauthenticating the first privately-owned terminal from the terminalmanagement server; and when the authentication result indicates that thefirst privately-owned terminal is a legitimate terminal, transmitting aprint request for printing data relating to the image being displayed toa printer through a network.